We salute our carriers

Getting a paper out to our readers—whether it be door-to-door and business bulk drops of the physical paper, or maintaining our website and social media—is a team effort. This week, which is National Carrier Appreciation Week, we would like to recognize our carrier force.

“Our carrier force is a vital part of the Alberni Valley News team,” says publisher Teresa Bird. “Because of their hard work, our readers have the information they are looking for delivered to their doorstep every week.”

These are the 90-plus carriers and drivers who deliver the Alberni Valley News every week, in all kinds of weather. Some of our carriers have been with us since our very first issue, Aug. 25, 2006, while others have signed up as recently as last week.

Johnathan and Ryan Behnke have delivered the News since Grades 3 and 5, respectively. “Back in the day, my mom used to (deliver),” says Johnathan. “We needed something to do.”

They started out delivering the paper with their mother, but now split a 60-paper route near their home, which takes them about an hour to complete.

“It’s a little bit of money every week. It’s not every day. It’s enjoyable and you get something out of it,” says Jonathan. The brothers have also learned some skills that will be useful when they get regular part-time jobs, he added.

While many of our carriers are youngsters starting their first jobs or teenagers like the Behnkes, we also have adults like Pam Webster, who has been with us since our first issue, or Mark Tutt, who joined us in October 2011 and delivers three routes as well as subs on others.

No matter their age, our carriers have the responsibility of getting our newspaper out to our readers, which is an important job. Please join us in thanking them for all that they do.